CHICAGO — Twenty-five minutes before Ohio State is set to tip with Indiana, I see Lori Holtmann, Chris’ wife, setting up her spot in the family section behind the OSU bench. She says hello, then shakes her head and makes a face as if to say, “strap in, this could get interesting.”

She knows OSU’s situation. The Buckeyes are right on the NCAA Tournament bubble and came here intent on fighting to keep those chances alive. It’s going to be an angst-filled 40 minutes. It’s already been an up-and-down season, one that includes an earlier win over these Hoosiers, but they’re streaking coming into this one (four wins in a row), and Ohio State is decidedly not (three-game losing streak). She’s also likely aware that conference tournaments have not been particularly kind to her husband’s teams, and this one needs a win.

It’s another 12 minutes until Chris Holtmann emerges from the home team...